An Introduction to Cloud Computing, and What IT can do for

You…

Presented by Ryan Hughes from Quest Cloud Solutions Ltd

Overview of the Presentation

• A Definition of Cloud Computing

• A Few Different Models of Cloud Computing

• Why It Isn’t New Technology

• Cloud Services and How they Relate to Your Business

• A Real Life Example

• An Example Business and How They Would Adopt Cloud Computing

• What to Consider When Choosing a Cloud Provider

• Roadmap to the Cloud

• Summary

• Questions…

Cloud Computing is…

• According to Wikipedia, Cloud Computing is…

• “The use of computing resources (hardware and software) that are delivered as a service over a network (typically the Internet)”

Utility Computing

• Many different cloud computing models available – commons ones include;

– Software as a Service (SaaS) • Microsoft Office, Sage Accounts, CRM Programs, etc.

– Platform as a Service (PaaS) • Computing resources (RAM, CPUs, hard drive space), and

software, such as Microsoft Windows and Microsoft Office

– Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) • Computing power (RAM, CPUs, hard drive space)

• Often know as Utility Computing

Todays Cloud Computing

But…

“The Cloud”

• “The Cloud” is actually just a large host of physical servers and storage arrays that is situated in an ultra-secure Datacentre and accessed over the Internet

• The Cloud platform uses Virtualisation technology to create a “Resource Pool”, which is then securely divided up and used to provide many different companies with their own “Private Cloud” environment…

• Usually located in an ultra-secure Datacentre

Cloud Services and the Benefits They Can Have for You…

Virtual Desktops

• An Office-in-a-Box solution

• Provides access to enterprise level resources without the capital expenditure

• Usually provides everything you need to perform daily business functions – including Windows, Microsoft Office, an Exchange mailbox, and full remote support

• Perfect for smaller companies who don’t employ IT staff and don’t have the funds to invest in on-site hardware

• Transparent, per user monthly costs

Hosted Email

• Hosted email is a tried and tested cloud service

• You’re probably already using it on a personal level; Hotmail, Gmail, Yahoo etc.

• Emails are stored on a cloud platform accessible from anywhere, rather than downloaded to your local PC

Hosted Email

• Hosted Microsoft Exchange Mailboxes provide you with an Enterprise-level email solution, for a transparent, fixed cost, per mailbox, per month

• Removes CAPEX on the Exchange server and licensing, as well as maintenance costs

• Utilises tried-and-tested Microsoft Exchange and Microsoft Outlook

• Full Microsoft Exchange benefits, including Mobile Email, Outlook Web App, Anti-virus, Anti-spam, etc.

• Backed up, secure, and available anywhere

Online Backup

• Hosted Online Backup services provide an enterprise level, fully automated, redundant off-site backup solution

• Data is duplicated across multiple disks and multiple geographically-dispersed sites for full redundancy

• Large retention periods usually included as standard • Data is encrypted for maximum security, and stored

off-site (usually in a secure datacentre) to prevent against; – Natural Disasters (e.g. flooding) – Human Errors – Total Site Loss (i.e. due to fire) – Air-Conditioning Failures (i.e. in server room)

Virtual Private Servers

• Provides your own private server environment – think Private Cloud

• Includes the same benefits of having on-site physical server, but none of the drawbacks, such as; – Reliance on the hardware / single point of failure – Needing IT staff or external support company to manage it

• No capital expenditure – transparent monthly cost, no surprise hardware costs, and no maintenance fees

• Anywhere access • Can be used to replace ageing existing infrastructure,

or can be used to extend a current IT system, creating a hybrid model

Hosted Telephony (VoIP) Services

• Voice-over-IP Technology

• Transmits voice traffic as data over the Internet, rather than as analogue signals over traditional phone lines

• Hosted VoIP removes the need for on-site phone system hardware, and therefore the CAPEX on it

Hosted VoIP – Unified Communications

• Microsoft Lync – Integrates all forms of communication into one package, accessible from any Internet connected device; – Email – Calendaring – Video-conferencing – Instant Messaging – Telephony – Presence (i.e. Available, Busy, Appear Off-line etc.)

• Can remove/reduce the need for travelling to client sites • Provides staff with a single point-of-presence – one phone

number, regardless of where they are in the world! • Can invite people to video-conferences even if they don’t

have Lync; just send them an invite via email!

Disaster Recovery and Business Continuity

• Cloud computing can be an integral part of your Disaster Recovery plan

• It can help get your business back up and running in the event of a disaster, but also in less extreme circumstances such as bad weather

• On-line backup files can be used to recreate your IT systems in the cloud, using virtual servers and virtual desktops

An Real Life Example…

• Aromatherapy Supplies company

• Suffered a huge, total loss fire including office and hardware

• We restored their company data from the backups (that we had insisted be held off-site) to our data-centre so that employees could work from home

• So impressed with the service and system they stayed on the fully hosted platform – and still are today

– This is just one example of a Cloud computing

solution!

A2B Shipping HQ

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A2B Shipping

Second Office

A2B Shipping HQ

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A2B Shipping

Second Office

A2B Shipping HQ

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The Cloud A2B Shipping

Second Office

A2B Shipping HQ

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The Cloud A2B Shipping

Second Office

A2B Shipping HQ

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The Cloud A2B Shipping

Second Office

A2B Shipping HQ

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The Cloud A2B Shipping

Second Office

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A2B Shipping HQ The Cloud Roaming Sales

Force

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A2B Shipping HQ The Cloud Director on

Holiday

What To Discuss With Your Cloud Provider…

• Security (i.e. Encryption, Authentication, and physical datacentre security)

• Internet Connectivity (yours and the datacentres’)

• Location (of data and the provider)

• Stability of the Cloud Provider

• Data Ownership

• Pricing

Your Roadmap to the Cloud – Points to Consider

Planning

Current Infrastructure

Cost Implications

Connectivity Available

Phasing/Timeline

Your Roadmap to the Cloud – Points to Consider

2012

Cloud Back Up Strategy

Implemented

Email Server Unreliable, so use email hosted in the

Cloud

2013

CRM Server needs replacing. Moved to the

Cloud for Licence Upgrade, better resilience and

availability for all staff (office based/remote workers)

2014

New sales team start, all given user names to enable them to work in their region from

home

2015

Tough conditions see market slow,

non users accounts

removed, along with their expense

To Summarise…

• Features and their benefits to you…

– Flexibility

– Scalability

– Resilience

– Security

– Lower Costs

– Backed Up

– Availability

Thanks for Listening

Any Questions? Twitter – @quest_cloud

Blog – www.QuestCloudComputing.co.uk/news